did someone mention on a earlier post about dumping flights not to make money. Take a survey who wants to fly a RJ for 2 plus hours or a full size jet. Why not put your resources to routes that you know you will make money.
Delta steps up battle with AirTran, small Ill. airport caught in crossfire
Central Illinois seems an unlikely focus point for the rivalry between Delta and AirTran, which each have their largest hub in Atlanta. But despite the improbable location, the two airlines are butting heads over flights at the Central Illinois Regional Airport (CIRA) in Bloomington, Ill. Beginning May 25, Delta will add seasonal non-stop service to Orlando that will operate from Bloomington through Sept. 4. So, what’s the problem? AirTran already flies that route, and that has CIRA officials peeved. What’s worse, airport officials say, is that they think the move is specifically aimed at AirTran and is not meant to actually help the local market.
"We are perplexed by their decision to duplicate service we already have, especially given what they're going through,” Carl Olson, CIRA’s airport executive director, tells The Pantagraph of Bloomington. “Again, this is Delta trying to weaken AirTran and trying to weaken our market. Delta's not interested in growing our market and investing in our community," he adds. Responds Delta spokeswoman Benet Wilson: "We get into markets where we see demand and can afford to be. We are always looking across the network system. Our service to Atlanta at CIRA is doing well. We're pleased."
This isn’t the first time CIRA officials have had a beef with Delta. On Aug. 31, CIRA’s Olson worried that "Delta could run AirTran out of town" when Delta announced it would add new service to Atlanta –- a route AirTran has flown since 1998. According to the airline’s schedule at the time the new service was announced, all three of Delta's Atlanta departures were scheduled leave within 23 minutes of each of AirTran's three flights. As for Delta’s new Orlando flights, the carrier has also added seasonal non-stop flights on that route from Moline Ill.; Rochester, N.Y.; Newport News, Va.; and Wichita, –- all routes on which AirTran offers the same service. "We are not surprised, “AirTran spokeswoman Judy Graham-Weaver tells The Pantagraph. “These are the last remaining cities served by AirTran that were not served by Delta.”
Delta steps up battle with AirTran, small Ill. airport caught in crossfire
Central Illinois seems an unlikely focus point for the rivalry between Delta and AirTran, which each have their largest hub in Atlanta. But despite the improbable location, the two airlines are butting heads over flights at the Central Illinois Regional Airport (CIRA) in Bloomington, Ill. Beginning May 25, Delta will add seasonal non-stop service to Orlando that will operate from Bloomington through Sept. 4. So, what’s the problem? AirTran already flies that route, and that has CIRA officials peeved. What’s worse, airport officials say, is that they think the move is specifically aimed at AirTran and is not meant to actually help the local market.
"We are perplexed by their decision to duplicate service we already have, especially given what they're going through,” Carl Olson, CIRA’s airport executive director, tells The Pantagraph of Bloomington. “Again, this is Delta trying to weaken AirTran and trying to weaken our market. Delta's not interested in growing our market and investing in our community," he adds. Responds Delta spokeswoman Benet Wilson: "We get into markets where we see demand and can afford to be. We are always looking across the network system. Our service to Atlanta at CIRA is doing well. We're pleased."
This isn’t the first time CIRA officials have had a beef with Delta. On Aug. 31, CIRA’s Olson worried that "Delta could run AirTran out of town" when Delta announced it would add new service to Atlanta –- a route AirTran has flown since 1998. According to the airline’s schedule at the time the new service was announced, all three of Delta's Atlanta departures were scheduled leave within 23 minutes of each of AirTran's three flights. As for Delta’s new Orlando flights, the carrier has also added seasonal non-stop flights on that route from Moline Ill.; Rochester, N.Y.; Newport News, Va.; and Wichita, –- all routes on which AirTran offers the same service. "We are not surprised, “AirTran spokeswoman Judy Graham-Weaver tells The Pantagraph. “These are the last remaining cities served by AirTran that were not served by Delta.”
